Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 15965Failing to provide a breath, blood or urine sample · Co. Kilkenny

Driver fined €250 and disqualified for refusing breath or blood sample in Kilkenny

Shane Prendergast was observed by Garda Damien Rafter on the Thomastown Road in the Graignamanagh area, Kilkenny, at 1.57am on October 8 last (year not given). The garda saw a Kia Rio being driven slowly and erratically, weaving over and back, and the car did not stop immediately when signalled with patrol car lights. Prendergast was arrested after refusing a breath test, taken to Kilkenny Garda Station, and refused an oral fluid sample, and a doctor was called to take a blood sample. He was convicted at Kilkenny District Court of refusing to give a breath, blood or urine sample after arrest, and was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for four years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Shane Prendergast was convicted of an offence under the Road Traffic Act for failing to give a breath or blood sample.
  • A Kia Rio was being driven slowly and erratically, weaving over and back on the main road.
  • The car did not stop immediately when the garda signalled, and later stopped in the middle of a side road.
Where
The incident took place in the Graignamanagh area, on the Thomastown Road.
When
The incident happened on October 8 last, at 1.57am; the year is not given.
Cause
The driver's speech was slurred and the garda detected a strong smell of alcohol.
Investigation
  • Garda Damien Rafter tried to stop the car using the patrol car lights.
  • The driver refused to complete a breath test and was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station.
  • The driver refused to give an oral fluid sample at the station, and a doctor was called to take a blood sample.
Charges
The driver was convicted of refusing to give a breath, blood or urine sample after arrest.
In court
The case was heard at Kilkenny District Court, and the defence asked for credit for the guilty plea.
Sentence
The driver was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for four years.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA driver was convicted of an offence under the Road Traffic Act for failing to give a breath or blood sample. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatA Kia Rio was being driven slowly and erratically, weaving over and back on the main road. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe vehicle did not stop immediately and later stopped in the middle of a side road. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in the Graignamanagh area. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe car was on the Thomastown Road. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on October 8 last. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe garda saw the car at 1.57am that morning. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeThe driver's speech was slurred and the garda detected a strong smell of alcohol. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe garda tried to stop the car using the patrol car lights. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe driver refused to complete a breath test. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe driver was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe driver refused to give an oral fluid sample at the station. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationA doctor was called to take a blood sample. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeThe driver was convicted of refusing to give a breath, blood or urine sample after arrest. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe driver was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for four years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defence asked for credit for the guilty plea. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Sep2024
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Kilkenny Court bans driver for failing to give blood or breath specimen after 'erratic' driving

    Reports the conviction and sentence at Kilkenny District Court. The article gives the incident as 'October 8 last' with no year, which does not fit its 2024 publication date, so the incident date is left empty.

    convicted, Shane Prendergast, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Prendergast